Associate Game Designer - Trading Card Games

Associate Game Designer

Overview of the position

With overall direction from the Sr Director of Game Development, the Associate Game Designer conceptualizes, creates, refines, and optimizes the player experience for Upper Deck TCG initiatives, focusing on gameplay, card design, and overall game health. They create unique and innovative content in line with Upper Deck's overall product strategy. The Associate Game Designer works with a tight product development team, including Game Developers, Brand Managers, and Project Managers to ensure the game is engaging, balanced, and enjoyable for players.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Game Design:
• Conceptualization and Prototyping - Develop new game ideas, rules, and mechanics for new and existing games.
• Card Design – Create new cards with unique effects, interactions, and playstyles.
• Gameplay Balancing - Ensure the game is fair and balanced, avoiding overpowered or underpowered strategies.
• Playtesting - Test the game with players, gather feedback, and refine the design based on player experiences.
• Data Analysis - Use data to identify areas for improvement and ensure the game remains healthy.
• Industry Trends - Understands value drivers within the TCG community and monitors appropriate channels to uphold product integrity.
• Innovation – Ready to explore new ways to engage a growing player base.
• Game Development - Must be able to provide feedback on the components, card layout, and art design.
• Additionally:
• Travel Availability - Traveling to conventions and events locally, nationally, or globally to promote products and educate the player base.
• Collaboration - Works with a tight product development team, including Game Developers, Brand Managers, and Project Managers to ensure the product vision is being fully realized across all relevant parties.